Remote direct memory access (RDMA) enables access to a memory resource on a computing device without involving the device's CPU (central processing unit). Data packets traversing a NIC (network interface controller/card) on a server in a network are efficiently captured by adapting an ASIC (application-specific circuit) in a programmable TOR (top of rack) switch to modify headers of incoming data packets to indicate to the NIC that the packets are RDMA packets. Such modification enables the packets to be written directly to the server memory while bypassing the server's CPU which can typically act as a bottleneck when attempting full packet capture.